Sense International India

Mission:
Our vision is of a world in which all deafblind children and adults can be full and active members of society.
Our purpose is to work in partnership with others - deafblind people, their families, carers and professionals to ensure that everyone facing challenges because of deafblindness has access to advice, opportunities and support.
We are the only national body active in the field of deafblindness.
We have a focused/ refined objective of supporting deafblindness alone and have not deviated from it even as we take a comprehensive approach which includes social, human rights perspectives with all available solutions.
Over the last 17 years, we have:
Increased the number of deafblind people receiving support from just 23 in 1997 to more than 57,000 today.
Formed the National Network of Families of deafblind people (PRAYAAS), which received the National Award for best parents association
Strategically aligned with the Government of India in their flagship- education programme- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) for inclusion of deafblind children in its mandate.
Facilitated the inclusion of deafblindness into National Trust Act for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities and our Advocacy Officer has been elected on the Board of the Trust
Designed and initiated a two year diploma course in “Special Education on Deafblindness” recognised by Rehabilitation Council of India.
Facilitated inclusion of deafblindness in the state Disability Policy of Chhattisgarh state. We are now working in Bihar, Meghalaya and Kerala on similar lines.
We have external validations such as Credibility Alliance, 35 AC, and repeat donors etc that vouch for our professional, comprehensive and fruitful journey. Target demographics:
persons with deafblindness Direct beneficiaries per year:
14,000 individuals with deafblindness through our 48 Partner NGOs across 21 states Geographic areas served:
Chhatisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Tamilnadu, Himachalm Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Goa, Rajasthan Programs:
Ealry intervention, need based education through Centre-based, Home-based and Community Based Rehabilitation programmes and Vocational Training. Last year, for the first time in India, 23 deafblind young adults got financial support to setup their own vocations and thus proving that they too are contributing citizens of our society.

Community Reviews

When I first came to know about Sense India, I was amazed to realize it worked specially for deafblind. What struck me most was the fact that rather than treating deafblindness as a disability, Sense India strives to empower those affected through training and development on one to one basis. I came to know that some of their on-field Educators are also people who overcame their disabilities and and are a strong source of motivation for those being trained. Right from the Leader to the most junior, everyone in the Sense India team shares the same passion for empowering the deafblind. The empathy is visible and the enthusiasm they arouse is infectious. I appreciate the work you guys at Sense India are doing to strengthen and inspire our special brothers and sisters in the society, not only challenging them to rise up over their challenges but also guiding them through those. Hats off to your efforts and wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Who says Sense India is a non-profit !!
1000rs Donated to Sense International India is like donating 2000rs. Their hard work really shows when you see them training the deaf blind people. Not only do they take care of these challenged people but help them take care of themselves. !!!
Sense International India has definitely got a lot in them to get noticed and I see tonnes of profit for the deafblind people.

Sense India is doing a wonderful work in the field of deafblindness. Transforming the lives of 65,800 children and adults with deafblindness is quite an achievement! I fully support the cause and Sense India and would like to congratulate the team and all those associated with it. Best wishes for all your future endeavors.

I have worked with Sense International India a number of times over the last eighteen years. I have always been impressed by, and respectful of, the work that the organisation undertakes in supporting and improving the lives of deafblind people in India.

This the organization which support very much to their partner organization to work with the children with Deafblindness. It tries their best to train the professionals and support to give 100% to the children.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Sense India is transparent and known for its accountability. As a member of the Board, I get notice for the Board meeting well in advance with agenda. All meeting are conducted in a very professional manner completely in conformity with the procedure laid under the Societies Registration Act. The selection of the Members of the Board is done a in a very democratic and professional manner. The organization is achieving 100 per cent statutory compliance in every respect. The organization is adhering to all the provision of Income Tax Act, Provident Fund Act, Gratuity Act, Indian Societies Registration Act and other relevant Act. For me, it is matter of honour to be first Chairman of the Board and now member of the Board.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Make to more visible, seek support of Government under all the Schemes of the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Motivate partner organizations to do advocacy for protecting rights of people with deafblindness. Seek participation of generic developmental organizations to ensure inclusive development of children with deafblindness

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

I was responsible for the creation of Sense International India. As Chief Executive of Sense in the UK, I established Sense International in 1996 and decided that our first programme would be in India, since I knew Beroz Vacha of Helen keller Institute and the staff at the Blind People's Association. I knew how successful our first programme would be in India, so it was a no-brainer to choose your country. And the work of Akhil and his team have surpassed all my expectations. Some years ago, they had established services with partners in 24 Indian states and it may have surpassed that already.

The work of SII has been one of enormous industry and devoted energy. I cannot commend their efforts highly enough.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Yet another excellent year for Sense International. It continuous to surprise me with the new initiatives. I have recently learned about the Prestigious Award being confirmed on the Organisation. Great work by team, keep it up.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

It takes a while for all fortunate people like us to absorb and bring to consciousness the meaning of deaf-blindness as disability. We rarely understand, how to communicate with these people, let alone think about how do they cope with daily living.

Sense International precisely does that; it act as a bridge between a deaf-blind person and the real world, by empowering them with not only basic motor skills but by making them self sufficient to live a meaningful life. By advocacy and networking, they make sure that deaf-blind people get equal status in the society.

For this act of kindness alone, i always admire the Team Sense International. Untiring efforts put in by every one from Governing Council to Lowest level employee makes it a unique organisation.

They are driven by passion and work with moral code of conduct and subject them selves to the highest standard of ethics.